Ancient Magic in Vapi: Manbhatt Mayank Pandya Revives the Soul of Narsinh Mehta; Watch the Crowd Give a Standing Ovation to This ‘Dying’ Art! (2026)
Vapi Cultural Revival: ‘Spandan’ Hosts Manbhatt Akhyan
In a breathtaking fusion of rhythm and devotion, the industrial town of Vapi paused to witness a rare masterpiece of Gujarati culture. The renowned cultural organization ‘Spandan’ hosted a mesmerizing Manbhatt Akhyan at the Lions Upasana Hall, featuring the legendary Mayank Pandya. Through the rhythmic beats of a copper pot (Maan) and soulful storytelling, the saga of Narsinh Mehta came alive, leaving the modern audience of Vapi spellbound by the power of tradition in early 2026.
The Legacy of the Copper Pot: A Third-Generation Master
Mayank Pandya is one of the few surviving practitioners of the ‘Manbhatt’ art form—a unique style of storytelling where the performer plays a large copper vessel (Maan) with metal rings on their fingers.
- Heritage: Mayank carries forward the legacy of his grandfather, Chunilalji Pandya, and his father, the late Padma Shri Dharmiklal Pandya.
- Emotional Reunion: In a touching gesture, ‘Spandan’ presented the Pandya brothers with an invitation card from 2001, when their father had performed for the same organization 25 years ago.
- The Performance: Using the rhythmic “Taal” of the Maan, Mayank Pandya narrated the iconic life events of Narsinh Mehta, specifically ‘Hundi’ and ‘Kunwarbai nu Mameru’.
A Night of Divine Symphony
The Lions Upasana Hall was packed with listeners who were transported back to the era of the great poet-saint.
- Musical Support: The Akhyan was elevated by the brilliant accompaniment of Pradhyumna Pandya on the Tabla and Vapi’s own Bhavesh Wadiwala on the Harmonium.
- Spiritual Depth: Beyond storytelling, the performance wove in the characteristics of Bhakti-Yoga from the Bhagavad Gita, making it a deeply spiritual experience for the attendees.
- Grand Opening: The event was inaugurated with a lamp-lighting ceremony by Vapi Municipal Corporation Deputy Commissioner Ashwin Pathak and ‘Spandan’ President Charusheela Bhatt.
Standing Ovation: Tradition Meets the New Generation
The program concluded with a rare sight in a modern industrial town—a thunderous standing ovation for a classical art form.
- Cultural Preservation: ‘Spandan’ Secretary Omprakash Bhattar and VP Jignesh Bhatt noted that such events are crucial for introducing the younger generation to Gujarat’s disappearing folk arts.
- Public Reaction: Attendees expressed that the rhythmic vibration of the copper Maan combined with Mayank’s powerful voice felt like a “live encounter with Narsinh Mehta’s devotion.”
Why ‘Manbhatt’ Art is Unique:
- The Instrument: The Maan is a large copper or silver pot. The performer wears rings on all fingers to create different percussive sounds.
- The Narrative: It is perhaps the oldest form of “musical theatre” in Gujarat, popularized by the great poet Premanand in the 17th century.
- The Skill: It requires the performer to sing, play percussion, and narrate complex stories simultaneously without losing the rhythm.
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